Removable cartridge cleaner

ABSTRACT

A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that has an insertion device for ease in installing an elongate cartridge assembly carrying belt cleaner assemblies onto an elongate support extending across a conveyor belt in an operative position thereon. In one form, an elongate lever handle pivotally connected to the elongate cartridge assembly can be used to generate a leveraged insertion force, preferably by an operator that does not need to reach into the operating envelope of the conveyor system, e.g. beyond tensioning mechanisms or under the belt. The handle and the cartridge assembly can have an over-center locking mechanism therebetween for providing the operator tactile feedback as to when pivoting of the lever handle has caused the cartridge assembly to be shifted to its operative position on the support.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/035,915, filed Feb. 25, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/421,988, filed Apr. 10, 2009, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,987,966, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication 61/044,050, filed Apr. 10, 2008; and prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/035,915 also claims benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication 61/308,840, filed Feb. 26, 2010, each of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a cleaner assembly for a conveyor belt and,more particularly, to a cleaner assembly that can be easily installedunder a conveyor belt and removed therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of industries utilize conveyor belts to transport goods andmaterials from one place to another. Generally, material is depositedonto the upstream end of the upper or carry run of a belt and isdischarged at the downstream end of the carry run of the belt. However,small amounts of material often remain adhered to the belt surface. Thatmaterial can remain adhered as the belt travels along the lower orreturn run and back to the carry run. As is known, it is desirable toscrape the belt clean so that it is free of material adhered thereto.

Secondary belt cleaners are mounted downstream of the head pulley underthe conveyor belt. Generally the belt cleaners are operatively mountedto an elongate mounting pole that extends below and across the belt. Thecleaning blades of the belt cleaners are biased into engagement with theconveyor belt and remove the material adhered thereto.

Resilient mounts located at either end of the elongate pole or supportmember provide limited vertical and/or rotational movement to minimizedamage to the belt and splices formed therealong and maximize materialremoval. Examples of resilient mounts include spring tensioners andpneumatic tensioners. In addition, resiliently mounted cleaning bladesfurther minimize belt damage and maximize material removal. Theresilient mounts typically bias the cleaning blades into engagement withthe belt. In addition, the cleaning blades move with the conveyor beltas the cleaning blades encounter surface irregularities, such asmetallic belt fasteners used to splice the conveyor belt.

Over time the cleaning blades of belt cleaners require maintenanceand/or replacement. Some prior belt cleaners include elongate membersremovably mounted to the resilient mounts, allowing an operator toremove the elongate member and cleaning blades out from under theconveyor belt to perform maintenance. However, this configurationrequires that the operator have access to both ends of the belt scraperassembly to dismount the elongate member. Further, due to the weight andsize of the elongate support, removal and reinstallation may requireseveral operators and/or mechanical assistance.

Recent belt cleaners include cleaner blades configured to be laterallytranslated along the elongate member, thereby allowing an operator toremove and replace the cleaner blades out from under the conveyor beltwithout having to remove the elongate support member. Further, theoperator only needs access to one side of the belt cleaner to remove andreplace the cleaner blades. In one prior belt cleaner, disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,249,650 to Stahura, several blade members are linked togetherto form a single unit under the conveyor belt. This approach requires anoperator to individually remove each blade member from the elongatesupport member, then individually reinstall each blade member on theelongate support assembly. As a result, the operator is required to workbelow the belt for an extended period of time, during which the beltshould be rendered inoperable. Space constraints adjacent the beltscraper assembly could further impede timely maintenance activities.

In other belt cleaners, the scraper blades are mounted onto a removablecartridge member or rail member. In one such configuration, such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,754 to Law, the rail member defines acavity extending along its length to receive the elongate supporttherein. The belt scraper assembly is configured to have clearancebetween the larger rail member cavity and the smaller elongate supportextending along the lengths thereof. The clearance eases installation ofthe rail member on the elongate support and minimizes frictiontherebetween. However, material removed from the conveyor belt readilycan collect in the clearance. Material accumulated in the clearanceadheres to both the rail member and the elongate support along thelengths thereof and effectively binds the rail member to the support sothat the belt cleaner cannot be easily manually removed if it is able tobe manually removed at all. As a result, an operator must providesufficient force to overcome the strength of the material adhering toand essentially cementing the rail member to the elongate support, suchas by application of multiple mallet blows to the end of the railmember.

Thus, prior belt scraper assemblies suffer from problems with providingsimple and quick maintenance in an environment which is subjected toloose material passing therethrough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a removable cartridgecleaner assembly is provided that allows for faster and easier removalof the belt cleaner blades out from under the conveyor belt. The presentremovable cartridge cleaner provides a tight engagement between theremovable rail member and the elongate support assembly to minimizedebris accumulation, as compared to prior cartridge cleaner assemblieswhich have a loose fit between the removable rail members and thesupport member, thereby providing spaces and/or gaps which allow debrisand other material to collect therein. Such debris solidifies over timeand effectively glues the removable channel member in place.

The present removable cartridge cleaner assembly includes an elongaterail or channel member and an elongate support assembly. Lower, freeends of legs of the channel member are configured to slide along anupper surface of the elongate support assembly. An opening of one of thechannel member and support assembly includes a biasing surfaceconfigured to engage a securing portion of one of the channel member andsupport assembly and thereby urge the elongate channel member toward theelongate support assembly as the channel member is shifted to anoperative position. In the operative position, any space at theinterface between the elongate channel member and the elongate supportassembly is minimized or eliminated. As a result, the interface betweenthe channel member and elongate support is substantially free of debris,thereby allowing the elongate channel member to freely be shifted alongthe upper surface of the elongate support assembly. Accordingly, anoperator can easily and quickly perform maintenance on the removablecartridge cleaner assembly.

In a preferred form, the removable cartridge cleaner assembly includesan insertion tool to assist an operator in insertion and removing theelongate rail from below the conveyor belt. Further, the insertion toolcan provide a securing location out from under the belt so that anoperator can secure the elongate rail in place without having to reachunder the conveyor belt. The insertion tool can include an elongatehandle for leveraging a force applied by an operator to provide anextraction force on an elongate rail sufficient to overcome any bondingthat may have occurred due to debris accumulation. In another aspect,the present removable cartridge cleaner assembly includes a rail memberslidably mounted on an elongate base member. Both the rail member andbase member include lateral portions extending in the belt traveldirection configured to engage inclined wedge portions of both the railmember and base member. In this manner, as the lateral portions engagethe wedge portions, the rail member is urged toward the base member.Accordingly, space available for the accumulation of debris is reduced.Further, removal and installation of the rail member on the base memberis quicker and easier as the interface between the rail member and basemember is minimized and relatively free of debris.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for installing a railmember having belt cleaner blades secured thereto is provided thatallows for faster and easier removal of the rail member from under theconveyor belt. In this regard, the rail member is slidable along anupper mounting surface of an elongate support member. Engagement of aninclined surface of a receiving portion with a securing portion urgesthe rail member towards the elongate support and restricts shifting ofthe rail member beyond the desired operative position. In this manner,the rail member is in tight engagement with the elongate support.Accordingly, the tight engagement of the rail member and elongatesupport member minimizes the accumulation of debris therebetween andprovides for easier and faster servicing of the rail member.

In another aspect of the invention, the removable cartridge cleaner hasan insertion device that enables the operator to apply a leveragedinsertion force to the channel or rail member of the elongate cartridgeassembly so that it is tightly secured onto the elongate supportextending under the belt in its operative position thereon. In thisregard, an elongate lever handle of the insertion device is pivotablyconnected to the channel member and is sized to extend out from underthe conveyor belt and beyond associated conveyor framework and/ortensioning mechanisms or resilient mounts to allow an operator to applythe leveraged insertion force from outside the operating area orenvelope of the conveyor system. The leveraged force has both a downwardforce component so that the channel member is tightly engaged on theelongate support and an axial component so that cooperating securingportions and openings of the channel member and support tightlyinterengage each other when the channel member is shifted to itsoperative position.

The elongate handle portion preferably is removably attached to acoupler pivotally secured to the channel member having the cleanerblades mounted thereto. Guide members secured to the support receive thecoupler therebetween with cam portions of each cooperating to providethe leveraged insertion force when the elongate handle is pivoteddownwardly. Preferably, the cam portions cooperate to form anover-center locking mechanism to provide the operator with tactilefeedback so that they are provided an indication that the channel memberhas been properly advanced to its operative position. In addition, alocking device can be provided that the operator can connect to eitherthe coupler or the handle itself to ensure that the handle and couplerremain pivoted down with the channel member retained in its operativeposition.

More specifically, the coupler can include a first pin portion and asecond pin portion spaced from the first pin portion. The first pinportion is pivotably connected to the elongate cartridge assembly. Theguide members include a first slot for receiving the first pin pivotablyconnected to the elongate cartridge assembly. Additionally, the guidemembers include a second slot spaced from the first slot for receivingthe second pin portion of the coupler. The second slots have closed endportions so that with the second pin portions of the coupler shiftedthereto, the elongate cartridge assembly will be shifted to itsoperative position on the elongate support. Further, the closed endportions can be configured to resist shifting of the second pin awayfrom the closed end portions of the second slots thereby maintaining theelongate cartridge assembly in the operative position.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of installing abelt cleaner assembly is provided. The method includes positioning aframe or channel or rail member having belt cleaner assemblies securedthereto under a conveyor belt. Application of a leveraged force to theframe with an elongate handle translates the frame along an elongatesupport member toward an operative position of the frame. Pivoting acoupler device of the handle and connected to the frame allowsprotruding portions of the coupler device to be received in slots ofguide members of the elongate support. Applying a downward force on thehandle urges the protruding portions along the slots and shifts theframe having the belt cleaner assemblies secured thereto along theelongate support member to the operative position of the frame.

In a preferred form, the method of installing a belt cleaner isaccomplished without requiring that an operator reach under the conveyorbelt or, even more preferably, beyond a tensioning mechanism for thebelt cleaner on one side of the conveyor belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a removable cartridge cleaner assemblyresiliently mounted below the return run of a conveyor belt shown inphantom;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the removable cartridge cleanerassembly of FIG. 1 showing the elongate cartridge assembly in theoperable orientation and the lower surfaces of the legs of the elongatechannel member in tight, flush engagement with the flat upper surface ofthe elongate support assembly;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the elongate channel member andelongate support assembly of the removable cartridge cleaner assembly ofFIG. 1 showing the tight, flush engagement between the lower surfaces ofthe legs of the elongate rail member and the flat upper surface of theelongate support assembly;

FIG. 3A is an end elevational view of the elongate channel member andelongate support assembly of the removable cartridge cleaner assembly ofFIG. 1 showing the low friction member between the upper surface of theelongate support assembly and the lower surfaces of the legs of theelongate rail member;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the elongate channelmember and elongate support assembly of the removable cartridge cleanerassembly of FIG. 1 showing the central pin member of the elongatechannel member in engagement with the upper inclined surface of thetapered slot of the central lug mount portion of the elongate supportassembly;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the elongate channel memberand elongate support assembly of the removable cartridge cleanerassembly of FIG. 1 showing the central pin member of the elongatechannel member in engagement with closed end of the tapered slot of thecentral lug mount portion of the elongate support assembly;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the elongate channel memberand elongate support assembly of the removable cartridge cleanerassembly of FIG. 1 showing the guide member being received between thedepending legs of the elongate channel member;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the elongate channelmember and elongate support assembly of the removable cartridge cleanerassembly of FIG. 1 showing the end pin member of the elongate supportassembly in engagement with the lower inclined surface of the taperedslot of the opening of the legs of the elongate channel member;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the elongate channel memberand elongate support assembly of the removable cartridge cleanerassembly of FIG. 1 showing the end pin member of the elongate supportassembly in engagement with horizontal run portion of the opening of theelongate channel member;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the elongate rail member of theremovable cartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing the taperedsurface configured to engage the end mounting pin and be urgeddownwardly toward the upper flat surface of the elongate supportassembly;

FIG. 10 is a enlarged side elevational view of one end of the railmember of FIG. 9 showing opening including the tapered portion, thehorizontal run portion and the semiannular seat portion;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the elongate support assembly of theremovable cartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing the flat uppersurface, the manual securing guide portions, the central lug mountportions, securing block portion and guide wedge portions;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the base channel portion of theelongate support assembly of the removable cartridge cleaner assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of the end mounting pin;

FIG. 14 is an end elevational view of the center mounting pin;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the manual securing guide portion ofthe elongate support assembly of the removable cartridge cleanerassembly of FIG. 1 showing the tapered upper surface thereof;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the central lug mount portion of theelongate support assembly of the removable cartridge cleaner assembly ofFIG. 1 showing the upper inclined surface of the tapered slot configuredto engage the center mounting pin and urge the pin downwardly toward theflat upper surface of the elongate support assembly;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the securing block portion and endmounting pin of the elongate support assembly of the removable cartridgecleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing the end pin member received therein;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged side elevational view of the removable cartridgecleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing the central pin member shifting overthe tapered upper surface of the manual securing guide portions of theelongate support assembly;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged side elevational view of the removable cartridgecleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing the offset positioning of thethroughbores of the manual securing guide portions and the end flangeapertures of the elongate channel member;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the resilient mount of the removablecartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing two spaced resilientmechanisms and a U-shaped bracket;

FIG. 21 is an end elevational view of the resilient mount of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the trail rail member of a resilient mountshowing a squared track portion and a semiannular track portion;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged perspective view of the removable cartridgecleaner of FIG. 1 showing a dust guard member of the resilient mountextending from the upper block assembly, between the rail members andalong the bracket legs;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of the removable cartridgecleaner of FIG. 1 showing a dust guard member of the resilient mountextending from the upper block assembly, between the rail members andalong the bracket legs and further showing a ramp member of theresilient mount including an inclined portion having a low frictionmaterial connected to the upper surface thereof;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theremovable cartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing a pair of railmembers having scraper blades mounted thereon extending a centralportion of the elongate support assembly toward either end thereof;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theremovable cartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing an alternativeresilient mount and an end securing mechanism for further manuallysecuring the elongate channel member on the elongate support assembly;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged perspective view of the removable cartridgecleaner assembly of FIG. 26 showing the resilient mount and end securingmechanism;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the end locking member of the endsecuring mechanism of FIG. 26 showing the wedge portions and dependingwedge portions;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a guide nut member of the end securingmechanism of FIG. 26 showing the threaded interior surface, the annularouter surface portion and the engagable outer surface portion;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged perspective view of the removable cartridgecleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing the elongate channel member removaltool extending through the web aperture of the elongate channel memberand engaging the lower surface of the web of the base channel member ofthe elongate support assembly;

FIG. 31 is a front elevational view of the removable cartridge cleanerassembly of FIG. 1 showing the insertion tool apparatus connected to theelongate rail;

FIG. 32 is a front elevational view of the removable cartridge cleanerassembly of FIG. 1 showing the insertion tool apparatus in anintermediate position between first engaging the camming lugs and anoperable orientation;

FIG. 33 is a front elevational view of the removable cartridge cleanerassembly of FIG. 1 showing the insertion tool apparatus in the operableorientation;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the insertion tool apparatus connectedto the elongate rail of the removable cartridge cleaner assembly of FIG.1 showing the setting pin extending through the flanges of the insertiontool apparatus and the depending legs of the elongate rail;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the elongate rail of removablecartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing the cut-out portions of theweb of the elongate rail;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the insertion tool apparatus of theremovable cartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing spaced flangesconnected to the handle and the setting pin and camming pin extendingthrough and beyond the spaced flanges;

FIG. 37 is a front elevational view of the insertion tool apparatus ofthe removable cartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 38 is a top plan view of the insertion tool apparatus of theremovable cartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing the spacedflanges connected to the handle and the setting pin and camming pinextending through and beyond the spaced flanges;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of an alternative insertion tool device ofthe removable cartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view of the alternative insertiontool device of FIG. 39 showing the pivot connection between theinsertion tool device and the rail member;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the insertion tool device of FIG. 39showing a coupler having a coupler body and a pair of pin devicesextending from the coupler body and an elongate lever handle for beinggripped by an operator;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the coupler body of the insertion tooldevice of FIG. 39 showing a pair of spaced flange portion and an upper,tool receiving block portion of the coupler body;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the coupler body of the insertion tooldevice of FIG. 39 showing the opening having a keyed groove for securingthe lever handle in the opening;

FIG. 44 is a bottom plan view of the coupler body showing annularprojections extending from the flanges of the coupler body and theL-shaped groove for receiving a projection of the lever handle;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the lever handle showing a throughborefor receiving a securing bolt therein for positively securing the handleto the coupler body and the projection for being received in theL-shaped groove of the opening of the coupler body;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the pivot pin of the insertion tooldevice of FIG. 39 showing two pin end members connected to one anotherwith each of the pin end members having an enlarged rounded distal endand a proximal end configured to be engaged by a tool for securing thetwo pin end members together;

FIG. 47 is an exploded perspective view of the pivot pin of FIG. 46showing a threaded rod portion extending from the proximal end of one ofthe pin end members and a threaded opening of the proximal end of theother pin end member for receiving the threaded rod portion therein;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the camming lug of the removablecartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing a shoulder portion, thetapered slot for receiving the setting pin and the camming slot forreceiving the camming pin;

FIG. 49 is an elevational view of the camming lug of FIG. 48 showing theshoulder portion, the tapered slot for receiving the setting pin and thecamming slot for receiving the camming pin;

FIG. 50 is a front elevational view of an alternative camming lug of theremovable cartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 showing a throughbore ofthe camming lug for receiving a securing member therethrough;

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of the T-shaped plate of the removablecartridge cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 for providing a securing locationon the spring tensioner for the insertion tool;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of a removable cartridge cleaner assemblyshowing a securing plate fixed to the elongate support assembly and aslot of the securing plate receiving the lever handle of the alternativeinsertion tool device therein;

FIG. 53 is an enlarged perspective view of the insertion tool device ofFIG. 52 showing a securing member inserted through throughbores of thecamming lugs of the elongate support assembly and aligned throughboresof the coupler body for securing the position of the insertion tooldevice including the coupler relative to the elongate support assembly;

FIG. 54 is a graph illustrating the ratio of output force for a giveninput force on the lever handle over a sweep of the handle for a steep10 degree from vertical angled camming slot, a less steep 20 degree fromvertical angled camming slot and a curved camming slot; and

FIG. 55 is a graph illustrating the travel distance of the rail memberacross the elongate support assembly over the sweep of the handle forthe 10 degree angled camming slot, the 20 degree angled camming slot andthe curved camming slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a removable cartridge cleaner assembly 2 is shown fora conveyor belt 4 that can be located adjacent the return run 6 or thehead pulley of the conveyor belt 4. The removable cartridge cleanerassembly 2 includes a rail or cartridge assembly 8 biased or urged intotight engagement with an upper mounting surface 10 of an elongatesupport assembly 12 extending in a lateral assembly direction 14 underand across the conveyor belt 4. One or both of the rail assembly 8 andelongate support assembly 12 include biasing or guide surfaces 16configured to extend generally obliquely to the lateral assemblydirection 14 and engage or be engaged by lateral or securing members 18of the rail and support assemblies 8, 12 configured to extend generallyorthogonal to the lateral assembly direction 14 and parallel to the belttravel direction 19. The tight engagement of the rail and supportassemblies 8, 12 minimizes vibration and space between the rail andsupport assemblies 8, 12 thereby reducing or minimizing space availablefor debris accumulation.

The removable cartridge cleaner assembly 2 is further operable to engagethe conveyor belt 4 and minimize damage thereto. For this purpose, theremovable cartridge cleaner assembly 2 includes a resilient mount 20 ateither end of the elongate support assembly 12. The mounts 20 areconfigured to bias belt cleaner blades 22 of the rail assembly 8 intoengagement with the belt 4 and permit limited vertical movement of theelongate support assembly 12 and rail assembly 8 to both maximize debrisremoval and minimize damage to the belt 4 and minimize vibration of theremovable cartridge cleaner assembly 2. As discussed herein, theremovable cartridge cleaner assembly 2 is positioned adjacent the returnrun 6 of the belt 4, however placement of the removable cartridgecleaner assembly 2 adjacent the pulleys is contemplated.

As is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-8, a slide interface is defined betweenthe rail assembly 8 and the upper mounting surface 10 of the elongatesupport assembly 12. In this manner, the rail assembly 8 can be slidalong the upper surface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12 as therail assembly 8 is shifted in the lateral assembly direction 14. Theupper surface 10 is configured to minimize friction between the elongatesupport assembly 12 and the rail member 8 as the rail member 8 travelsthereacross. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3A, the upper surface 10 caninclude a low friction, quasi-compressible member 25 attached thereto,such as ultra high molecular weight plastic. The low friction member 25is attached to the upper surface 10 by known means, such as adhesivesand bonding.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongate support assembly 12includes an elongate base portion or pole 26 having a longitudinal axis28 extending below and across the conveyor belt 4 in a lateral assemblydirection 14. The elongate support assembly 12 can further include anelongate base reinforcing assembly 30 attached thereto. As shown inFIGS. 2, 11 and 12, the base reinforcing assembly 30 includes a basechannel member 32 connected to the elongate base member 26, lowersurfaces 34 of flanges or legs 36 of the base channel member 32 being incontact with the base member 26, as shown in FIG. 3. As further shown inFIG. 3, the base portion 26 extends upwardly between the flanges 36 andtoward the web 38 of the base channel member 32.

The elongate support assembly 12 further includes an upper mountingsurface 10, a pair of manual securing guide portions 40, a pair ofcentral lug mount portions 42, a securing block portion 44, and a pairof guide wedge portions 46. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the manualsecuring guide portions 40 and the central lug mount portions 42 areconnected to the outer surface 48 of the flanges 36 of the base channelmember 32 and extend upwardly away from the base member 26 and above theupper flat surface 10 of the base channel member 32. To accommodate theelongate rail assembly 8 therebetween, the manual securing guideportions 40 and the central lug mount portions 42 can include a step 50,52 therein along inner faces 54, 56 thereof to ease insertion of theelongate rail assembly 8 therebetween, such as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

As shown in FIG. 15, the manual securing guide portions 40 include athroughbore 58 therethrough and a tapered upper surface 60 which extendsupwardly to an apex portion 62. As shown in FIG. 18, the tapered uppersurface 60 is configured to permit a central pin member 64 to shifttherealong, as will be discussed further below.

The central lug mount portions 42, as shown in FIG. 16 each include alug portion 66 and a base portion 68, the lug portion 66 and baseportion 68 defining upper and lower inclined surfaces or wedge portions70, 72. The upper and lower inclined surfaces 70, 72 extend obliquely tothe longitudinal axis 28 of the elongate support assembly 12 and towardone another to define a tapered slot 74 therebetween. A closed end 76 ofthe tapered slot 74 comprises a stop portion 78 configured to be engagedby the central pin member 64.

The securing block portion 44, as shown in FIG. 17, is positioned on theweb portion 38 of the upper flat mounting surface 10 of the base channelmember 32. The securing block portion 44 includes chamfered upper edges80 facing toward either end 82, 84 of the elongate support assembly 12to ease shifting of the rail member 86 over the securing block portion44. The securing block portion 44 further includes a throughbore 88extending in the belt travel direction 19. The throughbore 88 isconfigured to receive the end pin member 90 as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 13and 17 and correspond to the end openings 92 of the legs 94 of theelongate rail assembly 8 as discussed below.

The guide wedge portions 46 as shown in FIGS. 6, 11 and 12 have atrapezoidal configuration 96 with the short parallel side 98 and thelong parallel side 100 extending in the belt travel direction 19 and theangled sides 101 extending between the shorter and longer parallel sides98, 100. The short parallel side 98 is positioned to face toward themanual securing guide portions 40 to help guide the legs 94 of the railmember 86 there around.

The elongate rail or cartridge assembly 8, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,includes belt cleaner blade assemblies 22, an elongate rail or cartridgemember 86, and a central pin member 64. The pin member 64 can bepreassembled with the rail member 86, or can be a serviceable item. Theelongate rail member 86 is configured to extend along and below thewidth of the belt 4 such that the belt cleaner blade assemblies 22 areengaged along the width of the belt 4. As shown in FIG. 9, the railmember 86 is a C-channel member including a web portion 102 and a pairof flanges or legs 94 extending parallel to one another, the lowersurfaces 104 thereof configured to slide along the upper mountingsurface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12. As shown in FIG. 9, thelegs 94 are configured to be thin in profile to minimize contact areabetween the legs 94 and the elongate support assembly 12. The beltcleaner blade assemblies 22 can include known scraper blades, biasingmechanisms, and other known assemblies used in belt cleaning assemblies.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the web portion 102 of the rail member 86includes a series of apertures therein along the length 106 thereof. Inparticular, the web portion 102 includes a pair of removal apertures 108located adjacent either end 110 and 112 of the rail member 86. Further,the web portion 102 includes a series of smaller, blade mountingapertures 114 for mounting the cleaner blades assemblies 22 to the railmember 86.

The flanges 94 each include apertures 116 and 118 therein, the apertures116 and 118 generally located at a central location vertically on theflange 94 and generally corresponding to the throughbore of the securingblock portion 44, the tapered slot 74 of the central lug mount portions42 and the throughbores 58 of the manual securing guide portions 40. Acentral aperture 116 is located generally centrally along the length 106of the flange 94. The end apertures 118 are located generally adjacentthe ends 110 and 112 of the flanges 94.

In addition, both flanges 94, at either end 110 and 112 thereof, includean opening 92 therein as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The opening 92 ispositioned generally centrally vertically along the flanges 94 of therail member 86 and extends from the end 110 and 112 of each flange 94toward the end apertures 118 of the flange 94. The opening 92 includeshorizontal run portions 120 extending from a semiannular seat portion122 thereof to the tapered slot portion 124 having upper and lowerinclined surface portions 126 and 128 extending obliquely to thelongitudinal axis 28 of the elongate support assembly 12 and to the end110 and 112 of the flange 94.

The rail member 86 is guided along the upper flat surface 10 of theelongate support assembly 12 past the manual securing guide portions 40and the central lug mount portions 42 adjacent the outer face 130 of thedepending legs 94 of the rail member 86, and past guide wedge portions46 adjacent the inner face 132 of the depending legs 94 of the railmember 86. Both the manual securing guide portions 40 and the centrallug mount portions 42 are spaced so as to receive the rail member 86therebetween. The guide wedge portions 46, as shown in FIG. 6, areconfigured to be received between the flanges 94 of the rail member 86,the tapered sides 101 configured to guide the rail member 86 along thedesired path on the upper flat surface 10 of the elongate supportassembly 12. As shown in FIG. 11, the guide wedge portions 46 arepositioned adjacent the central lug mount portions 42 and the securingblock portion 44 so as to guide the rail member 86 to the appropriateorientation as the rail member 86 is shifted toward the central lugmount portions 42 and the securing block portion 44.

The orientation and design of the manual securing guide portions 40,central lug mount portions 42, and securing block portion 44 are such asto allow the first end 110 of the rail member 86 to be positionedadjacent the manual securing guide portions 40 and slid along the lengthof the base channel member 32 to the operable position 134. The taperedupper edge 60 of the manual securing guide portions 40 are configured toease travel of the central pin member 64, which extends outwardly fromthe flanges 94 of the rail member 86, over the manual securing guideportions 40 as shown in FIG. 18.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the tapered slots 74 of the central lugmount portions 42 are configured to face toward the manual securingguide portions 40, therefore allowing the central pin member 64 to bereceived therein as the rail member 86 moves in a lateral assemblydirection 14. Additionally, the tapered slots 124 at the ends 110 and112 of the depending legs 94 of the rail member 86 are configured toreceive the end pin member 90 extending from the securing block portion44 therein, with the securing block portion 44 disposed between the webportion 102 and the depending legs 94 of the rail member 86 and theupper mounting surface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12.

The inclined surfaces 70 and 72, or wedge portions, defining the taperedslots 74 of the central lug mount portions 42 and the flanges 94 ateither end 110 and 112 of the flanges 94 of the rail member 86 areconfigured to engage and/or be engaged by the corresponding pin member64 and 90. The upper inclined surfaces 70 of the central lug mountportions 42 are configured to be engaged by the central pin member 64 ofthe elongate rail assembly 8, and, as the rail member 86 is shiftedalong the upper mounting surface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12,urge the central pin member 64 and rail member 86 downwardly toward theupper flat surface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12. The centralpin member 64 is shifted along the upper inclined surface 70 untilcentral pin 64 engages the stop portion 78 of the tapered slot 74. Theengagement of the central pin member 64 and the stop portion 78 of thetapered slot 74 restricts movement of the central pin 64 in the verticaldirection and in the horizontal lateral assembly direction 14.

In contrast, as shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, the lower inclined surfacesor wedges 128 of the openings 92 of the flanges 94 of the rail member 86are configured to engage the end pin member 90. As the rail member 86shifts across the upper flat mounting surface 10 of the elongate supportassembly 12, the lower inclined surfaces 128 of the rail member 86flanges further engage the end pin member 90 and urge the rail member 86toward the upper flat surface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12.The end pin member 90 further travels along the lower inclined surface128 to the horizontal run portions 120 of the opening 92. The horizontalrun portion 120 is configured to restrict further vertical movement ofthe rail member 86 relative to the end pin member 90 and includes asemiannular seat portion 122 at the end thereof. As a result, the railmember 86 is shifted into tight engagement with the upper flat surface10 of the elongate support assembly 12, thereby minimizing any space orgaps at the interface between the lower surface of the flanges 94 of therail member 86 and the upper flat surface 10 of the elongate supportassembly 12.

The openings 92 of the flanges 94 are configured so that the end pinmember 90 may or may not shift along the horizontal run portions 120 tothe semiannular seat portion 122 or stop portion of the opening 92. Thehorizontal run portion 120 is configured so that the end pin member 90does not necessarily engage the semiannular portion 122. While thedistance 136 between the flange openings 92 and the central pin member64 should be generally equal to the distance 138 between the end pinmember 90 and the stop portion of the tapered slots 74 of the centrallug mount portions 42, the configuration of the horizontal run portion120 provides a degree of tolerance when new or different rail members 86with a distance different from the elongate support assembly 12 distanceis installed on the same elongate support assembly 12. As a result,movement of the rail member 86 in the lateral assembly direction 14 maybe impeded solely by the engagement of central pin member 64 and thecentral lug mount portions 42.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the end pin member 90 and the central pinmember 64 each have a predetermined length 140 and 141, respectively, anannular outer surface 142, chamfered ends 144, and a predeterminednumber of grooves 146, 148 and 150 positioned along the lengths 140 and141 of the pin members 64 and 90 and around the annular outer surfaces142 thereof. The grooves 146, 148 and 150 are configured to receive asecuring member 152 therein, such as a clip as shown in FIG. 6. Withregards to the end pin member 90 shown in FIG. 13, the grooves 146 arespaced a first distance 151 corresponding to the width 154 of thesecuring block portion 44. Therefore, when the end pin member 90 isinstalled in the throughbore 88 of the securing block portion 44, andsecuring members 152 are inserted into the grooves 146, the end pinmember 90 is securely disposed in the securing block portion 44.

With regards to the central pin member 64, as shown in FIG. 14, thecentral pin member 64 includes a pair of outer grooves 148 and a pair ofinner grooves 150. The two outer grooves 148 are separated a distance160 equal to the distance 162 between the inner surfaces 132 of theflanges of the rail member 86. Thus, when the central pin member 64 isinserted into the central aperture 116 of the flanges of the rail member86, and the securing members 152 are installed in the grooves 148, thecentral pin member 64 is securely fastened to the rail member 86.

In order to provide additional support to the rail member 86 and centralpin member 64, a reinforcing member (not shown) can be installed alongthe inner face 132 of the flanges 94. The reinforcing member ispositioned so as to overlap with the central flange aperture 116 andextend toward each flange end 110, 112. The reinforcing member includesa throughbore corresponding to the flange central aperture 116 andconfigured to receive the central pin member 64 therein. Further, toaccommodate the reinforcing member, the outer and inner grooves 148, 150of the central pin member 64 are separated by a distance (not shown)corresponding to the width of the reinforcing member. After securingmember 152 are positioned in the inner grooves 150 thus further securingthe central pin member 64 in place. The reinforcing member is preferablymade of a strong material, such as aluminum or stainless steel, andprovides additional strength to the rail member 86 around the centralpin member 64.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3A, 24 and 25-27, the rail member 86 is furtherpositively secured in place by a hitch pin 164. As shown in FIG. 3, thehitch pin 164 includes an oversized head portion 166 and a shaft portion168 configured to extend through the throughbores 58 of the manualsecuring guide portions 40 and through the end apertures 118 of theflanges 94 of the rail member 86. The shaft 168 of the hitch pin 164further includes a throughbore 170 extending across the diameter 172 ofthe shaft 168 adjacent a distal end 174 thereof. The hitch pin 164 issecured in place by a cotter pin 176 configured to be received in thethroughbore 170 of the hitch pin 164 and extend therethrough.

As shown in FIG. 19, the throughbores 58 of the manual securing guideportions 40 and the apertures 118 of the flanges 94 are offset from oneanother and oversized with respect to the shaft 168 of the hitch pin164. As a result, when the shaft 168 of the hitch pin 164 is used topositively secure the rail member 86 to the elongate support assembly12, a bottom portion 178 of the hitch pin shaft 168 engages a bottomportion 180 of the flange apertures 118. Additionally, a top portion 182of the hitch pin shaft 168 engages a top surface portion 184 of thethroughbores 58 of the manual securing guide portions 40. As a result, atighter fit with less friction during installation and removal isachieved because the hitch pin 164 is only engaged along the upper andlower surface portions 178, 182 thereof instead of along the entireannular outer surface 186 of the hitch pin shaft 168.

In one embodiment, the rail member 86 is further secured to the elongatesupport assembly 12 via an end securing mechanism 188. As shown in FIGS.26 and 27, the end securing mechanism 188 includes a tubular sleevemember 190, a pole member 192, a pair of guide nut members 194, 196 andan end locking member 198. The sleeve member 190 includes a largetubular sleeve portion 200 configured to receive the base member 26 ofthe elongate support assembly 12 therethrough and a small tubular sleeveportion 202 configured to receive the pole member 192 therethrough. Thelarge and small sleeve portions 200 and 202 are separated and connectedvia a block portion 204 sized to position the small sleeve portion 202at a desired location in relation to the rail member 86. The largesleeve portion 200 is configured to have a running fit with the basemember 26 of the elongate support assembly 12 to permit installation andremoval of the large sleeve portion 200. The large sleeve portion 200can be positively secured (not shown) to the base member 26, such as bya bolt or other known means. The small sleeve portion 202 is configuredto have an inner diameter 206 sized larger than the pole member 192 aswill be discussed below.

The pole member 192 is threaded along its length 208 and is configuredto extend from the end locking member 198, through the small sleeve 202and beyond. The guide nut members 194 and 196, as shown in FIGS. 27 and29, each include a threaded inner surface 210 configured to interactwith and receive the threaded pole member 192 therein. The guide nutmembers 194 and 196 each include an annular outer surface portion 212sized to be received in the small sleeve portion 202 of the sleevemember 190. Further, the guide nut members 194 and 196 each include anengagable outer surface portion 214 sized larger than the small sleeveportion 202 of the sleeve member 190 and configured to be engaged toshift the guide nut 194 and 196 along the threaded pole member 192. Asshown in FIG. 29, the engagable outer surface portion 214 comprises sixflat surfaces 216, and more particularly, three sets of parallel flatsurfaces.

The end locking member 198, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, is configuredto engage the base channel member 32 of the elongate support assembly 12and the rail member 86, and urge the base channel member 32 and the railmember 86 toward one another. In particular, the end locking member 198includes a base portion 218, a threaded pole throughbore 220 configuredto receive the threaded pole member 192 therein, upper wedge portions222 configured to be received in the openings 92 of the rail member 86,a depending portion 224, and depending wedge portions 226. The threadedpole member 192 can further be secured to the end locking member 198 bya set screw 228 extending through a threaded set screw throughbore 230as shown in FIG. 27. The threaded set screw throughbore 230 isconfigured to transversely intersect the threaded pole throughbore 220.

To accommodate the depending portion 224, the web portion 38 of the basechannel member 32 includes a corresponding open ended slot (not shown)formed at the end 234 thereof. The depending portion 224 is configuredto be received in and extend through the slot 232 and be receivedbetween the legs 36 of the base channel member 32. The depending wedgeportions 226 are configured so that inclined upper surfaces 236 thereofengage the lower surface 238 of the web portion 38 of the base channelmember 32. As the inclined upper surfaces 236 of the depending wedgeportions 226 travel along the lower surface 238 of the web portion 38the entire end locking member 198 is urged downwardly toward the basemember 26 of the elongate support assembly 12. As a result, the railmember 86, which is engaged with the upper wedge portions 226, isfurther urged into tight engagement with the upper mounting surface 10of the elongate support assembly 12.

To secure the position of the end locking member 198, a first guide nutmember 194 and a second guide nut member 196 are positioned on thethreaded pole member 192, with the first guide nut member 194 positionedbetween the small sleeve portion 202 and the end locking member 198 andthe second guide nut member 196 positioned on the opposite side of thesmall sleeve portion 202, the annular outer surfaces 212 thereofreceived in the small sleeve portion 202 of the sleeve member 190.

The threaded pole member 192 and end locking member 198 can be shiftedaway from the rail member 86 by adjusting the first guide nut member 194away from the small sleeve portion 202 of the sleeve member 190 andtoward the end locking member 198. As a result, the pole member 192 canbe shifted away from the rail member 86 until the small annular surface212 of the first guide nut member 194 is received in the small sleeveportion 202 of the sleeve member 190. The second guide nut member 196can then be subsequently shifted along the threaded pole member 192toward the small sleeve portion 202 to secure the small sleeve portion202 between the first and second guide nut members 194, 196.

Alternatively, the threaded pole member 192 and end locking member 198can be shifted toward the rail member 86 by adjusting the second guidenut member 196 away from the small sleeve portion 202 of the sleevemember 190. As a result, the pole member 192 can be shifted toward therail member 86 until the small annular surface 212 of the second guidenut member 196 is received in the small sleeve portion 202 of the sleevemember 190. The first guide nut member 194 can then be subsequentlyshifted along the threaded pole member 192 toward the small sleeveportion 202 to secure the small sleeve portion 202 between the first andsecond guide nut members 194, 196.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a resilient mount 20 is positioned adjacenteither end 82, 84 of the elongate support assembly 12. As shown in FIG.1, the resilient mount 20 a adjacent to the securing block portion 44 ofthe elongate support assembly 12 can be any known resilient mount 20 a,such as a spring tensioner.

The resilient mount 20 adjacent the manual securing guide portions 40 ofthe elongate support assembly 12 is configured to permit shifting of therail member 86 off of the flat upper surface 10 of the elongate supportand assembly and out from under the conveyor belt 4. As shown in FIGS.1, 20 and 21, the resilient mount 20 includes a U-shaped bracket 244,track members 246, a housing assembly 248 configured to travel along thetrack members 246 of the bracket 244, and resilient mechanisms 250configured to resist vertical movement of the housing assembly 248. TheU-shaped bracket 244 includes a base portion 251 and spaced leg portions252 extending upwardly therefrom, with a shelf 254 extendingtransversely from the distal ends 256 of the legs portions 252. As shownin FIG. 20, the shelf 254 includes a leg mounting portion 258, such asan aperture therein configured to receive a threaded pole member 260 ofthe resilient mechanism 250 therein. The legs 252 are further configuredto define a space therebetween to permit the rail member 86 to passtherethrough. As shown in FIG. 1, only one such U-shaped resilient mount20 having upwardly extending legs 252 can be employed with the cartridgecleaner assembly 2 being installed and removed from this one side of thebelt 4 since the other mount 20 has an inverted u-shaped constructionwith downwardly extending legs 252 which does not permit the cartridgecleaner assembly 2 to fit between split resilient mechanisms 250 such aspresent on the other U-shaped mount 20. Manifestly, if both sides of thebelt 4 have U-shaped resilient mounts 20 arranged with their legs 252extending upwardly (see FIG. 25) and the elongate support assembly 12has a double wide configuration with an identical opposing configurationalong each half thereof under a wide belt 4, then a pair of theabove-described cartridge cleaner assemblies 12 can be installed andremoved from opposite sides of the belt 4.

The housing assembly 248 includes a pole receiving portion 262,resilient portions 264, an inner housing portion 266, and lower andupper block assemblies 268 and 270. The pole receiving portion 262 isconfigured to receive the pole 26 of elongate support assembly 12extending therethough, and is positioned within the inner housingportion 266. As a result, the inner housing portion 266, and thereby thehousing assembly 248, receives vertical and rotational forces 271 and272 applied to the pole receiving portion 262 by the elongate supportassembly 12. As shown in FIG. 20, the resilient portions 264 arepositioned between the pole receiving portion 262 and the inner housingportion 266.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the lower block assembly 268 is secured tothe lower outer surface 274 of the inner housing portion 266 and extendsbetween track members 246 of the bracket 244. The lower block assembly268 further includes guide blocks (not shown) configured to engage thetrack members 246 and slide therealong.

The upper block assembly 270 is secured to the upper outer surface 276of the inner housing portion 266 and extends from either outer verticaledge 278 of the bracket 244. The upper block assembly 270 includes upperguide blocks 280 configured to engage the track members 246 and slidetherealong. As shown in FIG. 20, the upper block assembly 270 furtherincludes mounting portions 282, such as threaded throughbores adjacenteither end 284 thereof configured to receive a threaded rod 260 of theresilient mechanisms 250 therein. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, thethreaded throughbores 282 are offset a predetermined distance 286 froman axis 288 defined by the base member 26 extending through the polereceiving portion 262 of the housing assembly 248.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 20 and 21, the resilient mechanism 250 includesa threaded pole member 260, a resilient member 290, such as a spring,and a securing member 292, such as a nut having a threaded interiorsurface 294. As shown in FIG. 20, the threaded pole member 260 isreceived in the throughbores 282 of the upper block assembly 270 andextends upwardly therefrom. The threaded pole member 260 further extendsthrough and beyond the shelf aperture 258 of the bracket 244. Theresilient member 290 is positioned on the upper surface of the shelf296, with the securing members 292 positioned on the threaded rod 260adjacent the resilient member 290.

As discussed above, the housing assembly 248 is configured to receivevertical forces 271 and rotational forces 272 from an elongate member 26received in the pole receiving portion 262, such as the elongate supportassembly 12. Vertical forces 271 applied to the housing assembly 248 areresisted by the resilient mechanisms 250 as discussed above. Rotationalforces 272, however, are resisted by the engagement of the upper andlower block assemblies 268, 270 with the track portions 246 and theengagement of the resilient mechanism 250 with the leg mounting portion258 or shelf aperture of the bracket 244. By positioning the mountingportion 282 away from the housing assembly 248, such as adjacent eitherend 284 of the upper housing block 270, the force acting thereon isreduced. As a result the frictional forces between the resilientmechanisms 250 as it engages the inner surfaces (not shown) of the shelfapertures 258 is further reduced, thereby reducing wear and providingsmoother vertical travel of the housing assembly 248.

In some instances, such as shown in FIG. 24, the flat upper mountingsurface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12 may be lower than theupper surface 302 of the upper block assembly 270 of the resilient mount20. To ease removal of the rail member 86, the resilient mount 20 caninclude a ramp member 304 connected thereto. The ramp member 304includes a horizontal portion 306 and an inclined portion 308 extendingobliquely therefrom and toward the base member 26 of the elongatesupport assembly 12. The horizontal portion 306 is positively secured tothe upper surface 302 of the housing assembly 248 of the resilient mount20.

The inclined portion 308 extends downwardly toward the base member 26 adistance 310 such that the distal end 312 of the inclined portion 308 ispositioned below the flat upper mounting surface 10 of the elongatesupport assembly 12. As shown in FIG. 24, the inclined portion 308 caninclude a low friction member 314, made of a material such as UHMW,positively secured, such as by carriage bolts, to the upper surfacethereof 316. The low friction member 314 provides a low friction surface318 for legs 94 of the rail member 86 to slide along the inclinedportion 308. In this manner, the inclined portion 308 is configured toallow the legs 94 of the rail member 86 to slide off of the flat uppersurface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12 and onto the uppersurface 318 of the low friction member 314 of the inclined portion 308and travel upwardly between the legs 252 of the mounting bracket 244 andaway from the elongate support assembly 12. As shown, the horizontalportion 306 of the ramp portion 304 is connected to the upper blockassembly 270 by a pair of bolts 320 positioned so that as the railmember 86 slides thereacross the bolts 320 are positioned below the webportion 102 and between the flanges 94 the rail member 86.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the resilient mounts 20and 20 a include dust guard members 322 and 322 a. The dust guardmembers 322 and 322 a are mounted to the back faces 324 and 324 a of thehousing assemblies 248 and 248 a of the resilient mounts 20 and 20 a. Asshown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the dust guard members 322 and 322 a areconfigured to extend from the upper block assemblies 270 and 270 a ofthe housing assemblies 248 and 248 a and along and beyond the back faces324 and 324 a of the housing assemblies 248 and 248 a. As shown, thedust guard members 322 and 322 a include pole apertures 326 and 326 a toaccommodate the base member 26 of the elongate support assembly 12 andfastener apertures 328 and 328 a to accommodate the fasteners 330 and330 a of the lower block assemblies 268 and 268 a of the housingassemblies 248 and 248 a.

As described above, the resilient mounts 20 each include a bracket 244having a base portion 251 and a pair of spaced legs 252. Further, asshown in FIGS. 20, 21 and 23, the resilient mount 20 includes a pair oftrack members 246 mounted on each of the legs 252. As shown in FIG. 22,the guide track members 246 include rail track portions 332, 334 formounting the housing assembly 248 and dust guard member 322 thereto. Thetrack portions 246 are further configured to enable the housing assembly248 and dust guard member 322 to shift along the legs 252 of the bracket244.

In particular, the track portions 246 include a first, square-shapedtrack 332 configured to receive the upper and lower block assemblies268, 270 of the housing assembly 248 and allow the block assemblies 268,270 to translate therealong. Additionally, the guide tracks 246 includea second track 334 to receive cover portions 336 of the dust guardmembers 322 therein. As shown in FIG. 22, the second track 334 has arounded or semiannular configuration 338.

The second track 334 and the dust guard members 322 are configured topermit the dust guards members 322 to translate therealong and restrictdust from moving between the legs 252 of the mounting bracket 244 of theresilient mount 20. Further, the dust guard 322 acts to restrict dustand material interaction with the resilient rubber portions 264 of thehousing assembly 248, thereby reducing wear on the resilient rubberportions 264. Additionally, a slide interface between the cover portion336 and the second track 334 restricts debris movement through thebracket legs 252 and debris accumulation in the track portions 246,particularly the first track 332 along which the housing assembly 248shifts, thereby providing a smoother slide interface and allowing freermovement of the housing assembly 248 along the tracks 246.

The dust guard members 322 can be composed of any material suitable forthe application. In one embodiment, the dust guard members 322 are madeof a deformable plastic and are configured to have square edges. Overtime, the square edges deform with the rounded or semiannular track 334to provide a smooth running interface.

Other mounts 20 can be utilized with the removable cartridge cleanerassembly 2, so long as the mounts 20 permit removal of the rail member86 with the cleaner blades 22 attached thereto. An alternative mount 20b, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, includes a clamp block 340 configured toreceive the base member 26 of the elongate support assembly 12 therein.The clamp block 340 is supported from below by a threaded member 342,such a bolt. The clamp block 340 is configured to be received in avertical slot 344 of a support member 346 and shifted therealong.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, the removablecartridge cleaner assembly 2 may include a pair of rail members 86mounted on the elongate support assembly 12. As shown in FIG. 25, theelongate support assembly 12 includes a reinforcing portion 30, such asa rectangular tube, extending along a portion of the length of the basemember 26. As shown, the reinforcing portion 30 also corresponds to thebase channel member 32 of the elongate support assembly 12 discussedabove. The reinforcing portion 30 provides additional strength to theelongate support assembly 12 for wider belts, such as belts wider than72″.

To accommodate two rail members 86, each rail member 86 extends from agenerally central portion 348 of the elongate support assembly 12 towardeither end thereof 82 and 84, the elongate support assembly 12 includinga pair of securing block portions 44 located at a generally centralportion 348 of the elongate support assembly 12, two pairs of centrallug mount portions 42, and two pairs of manual securing guide portions40 located adjacent either end 82 and 84 of the elongate supportassembly 12. In this embodiment, the rail members 86 are installed fromeither end 82 and 84 of the elongate support assembly 12 and are shiftedalong the flat upper surface 10 of the reinforcing portion 30 of theelongate support assembly 12 toward an operative position 134 whereinone end of each of the rail members 86 is positioned at a generallycentral location 348 of the elongate support assembly 12. As shown inFIG. 25, the resilient mounts 20 located at either end 82 and 84 of theelongate support assembly 12 are configured to allow for easy removaland insertion of the rail members 86 from either end 82 and 84 of theelongate support assembly 12.

A method of installing and removing the rail member 86 having cleaningblade assemblies 22 mounted thereon is discussed herein. To install arail member 86, a first end 110 of the rail member 86, with cleaningblade assemblies 22 mounted thereon, is positioned adjacent theresilient mount 20 nearest the manual securing portions 40. The firstend 110 of the rail member 86 is shifted between the upstanding legs 252of the resilient mount 20 toward the flat mounting surface 10 of theelongate support assembly 12.

As the first end 110 of the rail member 86 is shifted between theupstanding legs 252 of the resilient mount 20 in the lateral assemblydirection 14, the distal ends 104 of the flanges 94 of the rail member86 are positioned on the flat upper surface 10 of the elongate supportassembly 12. The rail member 86 is shifted along the flat upper surface10 of the elongate support assembly 12 until the central pin member 64engages the tapered upper surface 60 of the manual securing guideportions 40. As the rail member 86 is further shifted in the lateralassembly direction 14 the central pin member 64 shifts along the taperedupper surface 60 of the manual securing guide portions 40, over the apex62 and down toward the flat upper surface 10.

The rail member 86 is further shifted until the central pin member 64engages the upper inclined surfaces 70 of the central lug mount portions42 and the lower inclined surfaces 128 of the tapered slots 124 of thelegs of the rail member 86 engages the end pin member 90. The railmember 86 is further shifted in the lateral assembly direction 14 suchthat the pin members 64 and 90 travel along the inclined surfaces 70,128, thereby camming the rail member 86 downwardly so that the railmember 86 is urged into tight engagement with the upper mounting surface10. The rail member 86 is shifted in the lateral assembly direction 14until the center pin member 64 engages stop portions 78 of the taperedslots 74 of the central lug mount portions 42 and the end pin member 90is positioned in the horizontal run portion 120 of the slot 92 of thedepending legs 94 of the rail member 86, thereby defining the operativeposition 134 of the rail member 86. As a result, any spaces or gaps atthe interface between the distal ends 104 of the legs 94 of the railmember 86 and the flat upper surface 10 of the elongate support assembly12 are minimized, therefore reducing the spaces available for the debrisaccumulation.

To secure the rail member 86 in the operative position 134, the secondend 112 of the rail member 86 is positively secured to the manualsecuring guide portions 40 of the elongate support assembly 12. As shownin FIGS. 3 and 19, the shaft 168 of a hitch pin 164 is inserted throughthe throughbores 58 of the manual securing guide portions 40 and the endapertures 118 of the legs 94 of the rail member 86 adjacent the secondend 112 thereof. The hitch pin shaft 168 further includes a throughbore170 extending therethrough adjacent the distal end 174 of the hitch pin164. A cotter pin 176 is inserted into the throughbore 170 to restrictmovement of the hitch pin 164 and secure the rail member 86 in place. Assuggested above, the described installation method can be used toinstall rail members 86 from either or both ends 82 and 84 of theelongate support assembly 12 depending on the configuration of theelongate support assembly 12.

To remove the rail assembly 8, including the rail member 86 and cleanerblade assemblies 22, the cotter pin 176 is removed from the hitch pin164 adjacent the second end 112 of the rail member 86. The hitch pin 164is then removed from the rail member 86.

A rail member removal tool 350, as shown in FIG. 30, is the used toremove the rail member 86. The rail member removal tool 350 includes anelongate handle portion 352, a crook portion 354 and a lip portion 356at the distal end 358 of the rail member removal tool 350. The distalend 358 of the tool 350 is inserted into the web end removal aperture108 of the web portion 102 of the second end 112 of the rail member 86and is positioned such that the upper surface 360 of the lip portion 356engages the lower surface 238 of the web portion 28 of the base channelmember 26 of the elongate support assembly 12. A downward force isexerted on the handle portion 352 of the tool 350, which causes the tool350 to rotate around the point of engagement between the lip portion 356and base channel member 26. As a result, the crook portion 354 disposedwithin the web end removal aperture 108 is engaged therewith and urgesthe rail member 86 in the removal direction 362 opposite the lateralassembly direction 14.

The configuration of the elongate rail member 86 and the elongatesupport assembly 12 assist in the removal of the rail member 86. Inparticular, by minimizing the areas of engagement between the elongaterail member 86 and the elongate support assembly 12, any force neededbeyond the normal sliding of the rail member 86 is preferably limited tothe initial shifting of the rail member 86 such that the pin members 64,90 and tapered slots 74 and 124 unengaged from one another. As a result,the leverage provided by the downward force of the rail member removaltool 350 is not required during the entire removal process.

As the rail member 86 is shifted in the removal direction 362 thecentral pin member 64 disengages the inclined surfaces 70 of the centrallug mounting portions 42, and the inclined surfaces 128 of the openings92 of the legs 94 of the first end 110 of the rail member 86 disengagethe end pin member 90. The rail member 86 is then shifted in the removaldirection 362 until the rail member 86 is completely removed from theflat upper surface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12. The railmember 86 is shifted such that the distal ends 104 of the flanges 94 ofthe rail member 86 shift along the upper surface 318 of the ramp member304 up and away from the base channel member 26 and between the bracketlegs 252 of the resilient mount 20. As suggested above, the describedinstallation method can be used to remove rail members 86 from either orboth ends 82 and 84 of the elongate support assembly 12 depending on theconfiguration of the elongate support assembly 12.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 31-53, removable cartridge cleanerassembly 2 can include an insertion apparatus or device 364 connected tothe end 122 of the elongate rail member 86 to install, secure and removethe elongate rail member 86. The insertion apparatus or device 364 isconfigured to cooperate with spaced guide members or camming lugs 394 ofthe elongate support assembly 12 to install and secure the elongate railmember 86 on the elongate support assembly 12. The insertion apparatus364 and camming lugs 394 cooperate to secure the rail member 86 in tightengagement with the upper surface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12in the operable position 134 of the rail member 86, and preferably alsoresist movement of the elongate rail 86 away from the operative position134 once installed. Preferably, the camming lugs 394 are configured toprovide an over-center lock for securing the insertion apparatus 364 tothe camming lugs 394.

As shown in FIGS. 31-34 and 36-41, the insertion tool apparatus ordevice 364 includes a coupler device 365 for being pivotably connectedto an end of the rail member 86 and secured to the elongate supportassembly 12. The coupler device 365 includes a coupler body 367 sized tobe received between the camming lugs 394. A first set of protrudingportions 376 and a second set of protruding portions 378 of the couplerdevice 365 extend from the coupler body 367 for engaging the camminglugs 394. As shown in FIGS. 36-38 and 41, the first set of protrudingportions 376 is a pivot pin member and the second set of protrudingportions 378 is a camming pin member. The pivot pin member 376 andcamming pin member 378 extending through the throughbores 372 and 374 ofthe coupler body 367. An elongate lever handle portion 366 of theinsertion tool apparatus 364 connects to and extends from the couplerbody 367. More particularly, the elongate handle portion 366 is sized toextend beyond the resilient mount 20 and be engaged by a user out fromunder the conveyor belt 4 during installation and removal of the railassembly 8, as shown in FIGS. 31-33 and 52-53.

As shown in FIGS. 36-38, the coupler body 367 of the coupler device 365includes a pair of spaced flange members 398 that are fixed to oppositesides 370 of an end of the elongate handle portion 366 as by welding orthe like. The coupler body 365 can further include structural spacers369 extending between the flanges 398. The flanges 398 include a pair ofspaced throughbores 372 and 374 for receiving the pins 376 and 378therethrough.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 42-44, the coupler body can be formedas an integral casting with the flange portions 368 of the coupler body365 being spaced by an upper handle receiving block portion 371. Asindicated above, the coupler body 365 can include structural spacers369, such as a rod member, to provide stability to the coupler body 367.The flanges 368 are connected to and extend in parallel from the blockportion 371. As discussed above, the flanges 368 include a pair ofspaced throughbores 372 and 374 for receiving the pivot pin device 376and the camming pin member 378 therethrough. As shown in FIGS. 42 and44, the flanges 368 can further each include an outwardly extendingannular projection 373 about the throughbore 372. The outwardlyextending annular projection 373 is sized to fit between the legs orflanges 94 of the rail member 86. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 42 and43, the flanges 368 can include a securing throughbore 450 for receivinga securing member 452, such as a bolt, to positively secure the flanges368 to the camming lugs 394.

The handle receiving block portion 371 includes an opening 454 sized toreceive an end 456 of the elongate handle portion 366 therein. Theelongate handle portion or shaft 366 can be secured within handlereceiving portion 371. As shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, an inner surface 458of the opening 454 of the handle receiving portion 371 includes an “L”shaped groove 460 sized to receive a projection 462 extendingtransversely from the elongate handle portion 366 adjacent the end 456of the handle portion 366. The “L” shaped groove 460 allows an operatorto selectively secure the handle portion or shaft 366 to the couplerbody 367 by positioning the projection 462 of the handle portion orshaft 366 within the groove 460 and rotating the handle portion 366 sothat the projection 462 shifts into a transverse leg portion 464 of theL-shaped groove 460 to form a bayonet connection therebetween. As aresult, the handle portion or shaft 366 can be selectively secured tothe handle receiving body 371 for installing and removing the railassembly 8 without requiring the operator to reach under the conveyorbelt 4.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the handle receiving portion371 includes a throughbore 466 extending transverse to the opening 454and sized to receive a securing member 468, such as a bolt, therein. Theelongate handle portion 366 includes a corresponding throughbore 470 forreceiving the bolt 468 therethrough. As such, the elongate handleportion or shaft 366 can be positively secured to the handle receivingportion 371 of the coupler body 367. By positively securing the handleportion or shaft 366 to the coupler body 367, the handle portion orshaft 366 can remain engaged with the coupler body 367 during conveyorbelt operation.

As shown in FIGS. 34, 36-38, 40 and 41, the coupler device 365 includesthe pivot pin device 376 positioned adjacent one end of the coupler body367 and the camming pin member 378 spaced from the pivot pin member 376.The pivot pin 376 is configured to be received in end apertures 118 ofthe elongate rail 86 to provide a pivot connection between the rail 86and the coupler device 365. As shown in FIG. 35, to accommodate pivotingof the coupler device 365, the elongate rail 86 includes a cut-out 422of the web 102 portion. The cut-out 422 is sized to accommodate pivotingof the coupler device 365. A leading edge 424 of the cut-out acts as astop 426 to limit pivoting of the coupler device 365. As shown in FIGS.34, 35 and 39, the elongate rail 86 includes a cut-out 422 at either end110 and 112 to allow the coupler device 365 to be selectively connectedto either end 110 and 112 of the rail 86.

As shown in FIG. 36, the pivot pin 376 includes a pair of throughbores381 adjacent either end for receiving a cotter pin 380 therethrough. Thethroughbores 381 are located on the pivot pin member 376 so thatsecuring members 380, such as cotter pins 380, are positioned betweenthe flanges 386 and the legs or flanges 94 of the rail member 86 whenthe coupler device 365 is pivotably connected thereto. The cotter pins380 allow an operator to easily disconnect and reconnect the couplerdevice 365 and the rail member 86 as needed.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, the pivot pin device ormember 376 can include separate pin end members 472 and 474 which can beinserted from either side of the rail member 86 through the rail memberthroughbores 118 and the flange throughbores 372. The separate pin endmembers 472 and 474 cooperate to provide a secure connectiontherebetween. As shown in FIG. 47, a proximal end 476 of one of thepivot pin end members 472 includes a threaded throughbore 478 sized toreceive a threaded section or rod 480 extending from a proximal end 482of the other pivot pin end member 474. The proximal ends 476 and 482 ofthe pin end members 472 and 474 preferably include an outer surface 484and 486, such as including flattened sections, configured to be engagedby a tool, such as a wrench, for tightening the threaded connection ofthe pivot pin end portions 472 and 474. As with the cotter pins 380, thethreaded connection allows an operator to easily remove the pin endmembers 472 and 474 so that the coupler body 367 can be disconnectedfrom the rail member 86.

The pivot pin end members 472 and 474 each include at their distal ends488 and 490 an enlarged head 492. The enlarged heads 492 are sized to belarger than the coupler throughbores 372 so that, with the pivot pin endmembers 472 and 474 connected to one another by the threaded connection,the enlarged heads 492 resist shifting of the pin end members 472 and474 out from the flange throughbores 372 thus maintaining the enlargedheads 492 in the rail member through bores 118.

Similar to the pivot pin member, the camming pin member 378 is securedto the coupler body 367 to resist movement of the camming pin member 378out from within the throughbores 374. As shown in FIGS. 36 and 40, thecamming pin member 378 includes annular grooves 384 extending about anouter surface 385 thereof. The grooves 384 are axially spaced on theouter surface 385 so that, with the camming pin member 378 extendingthrough the throughbores 374 of the coupler body 367, the grooves 384can be located adjacent the outer surfaces 386 of the coupler body 365.The grooves 384 are configured to receive a securing member 382, such aclip, therein to block movement of the camming pin member 378 relativeto the coupler body 365.

As indicated above, to accommodate the insertion tool apparatus 364, themanual securing guide portions 40 are replaced with camming lugs 394. Asshown in FIGS. 31-33, the camming lugs 394 are connected to the outersurface 48 of the flanges 36 of the base channel member 32 and extendupwardly and above the upper flat surface 10 of the base channel member32. To accommodate the elongate rail assembly 8 therebetween, thecamming lugs 394 can include a step 396 therein along inner faces 398thereof, such as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49.

The camming lugs 394 each include an upper surface 406 configured toallow the central pin member 64 of the rail assembly 8 to shifttherealong. Similar to the manual securing guide portions 40, the uppersurface 406 of the camming lugs 394 has chamfered upper, lead-ininclined ramp surfaces 408 to aid in guiding the central pin member 64extending from the rail member 86 up and along the camming lugs 394.

The camming lugs 394 each include an internal shoulder portion or shelf400. The shelf 400 is located adjacent the upper surface 10 of theelongate support assembly 12. As shown in FIGS. 48-50, a recessed innerwall surface 402 extends from the shoulder portion 400 toward the uppersurface 406 of the camming lug 394. The recessed surfaces 402 of thecamming lugs 394 are spaced from one another to receive the pivot pin376 therebetween.

Extending from the shoulder portion 400 the camming lugs 394 is anopening 414 for receiving the distal ends 492 of the pivot pin member376. The opening 414 includes an upper and lower inclined surfaces orwedge portions 410 and 412. A curved transition wall 409 extends up fromthe shoulder 400 to the lower inclined surface 412 to aid in shiftingthe pivot pin member 376 into the opening 414.

The upper and lower inclined surfaces 410 and 412 of the opening 414extend obliquely to the longitudinal axis 28 of the elongate supportassembly 12 and toward one another to define a tapered configurationhaving an open end 420 facing toward the shoulder portion 400 forreceiving the pivot pin member 376 of the coupler device 365 as thecoupling device 365 is shifted in the lateral assembly direction 14. Aclosed end 416 of the opening or tapered slot 414 operates as a stopportion 418 for limiting movement of the pivot pin member 376. Theenlarged distal ends 492 of the pivot pin member 376 can have a roundedconfiguration to ease movement of the distal ends 492 along the upperand lower inclined surfaces 410 and 412 of the opening 414.

To accommodate the camming pin 378, the camming lugs 394 each include acamming slot 404 extending from the upper surface 406 down toward theshoulder 400. The camming slot 404 is configured to guide the cammingpin member 378 as the pivot pin member 376 shifts along the tapered slot414 and the coupler device 365 rotates downwardly toward the uppersurface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12.

As shown in FIGS. 36 and 41, the camming pin member 378 includes alarger diameter central shaft portion 391 which extends through and outfrom the coupler body 367. The central portion 391 includes the annularouter surface 385 having the grooves 384 therein. The central portion391 is sized so that it can fit between the recessed surfaces 402 as thecamming pin member 378 is received in the camming slot 404.

More particularly, smaller diameter annular end portions 392 of thecamming pin member 378 extend from ends of the central portion 391 ofthe camming pin member 378. The smaller diameter end portions 392 aresized to be received within the camming slots 404 of the camming lugs394. Shoulders 390 of the camming pin member 378 extend between thelarger diameter central portion 391 and small diameter end portions 392.The shoulders 390 are spaced from one another to fit between and facethe recessed surfaces 402 of the camming lugs 394. As such, theshoulders 390 can engage the recessed surfaces 402 of the camming lugs394 and restrict shifting of the coupler device 365 in a longitudinaldirection parallel to the belt travel direction 19.

Prior to installation of the elongate rail 86, the pivot pin 376 issecured to the legs 94 of the elongate rail 86 and the distalthroughbores 372 of the coupler body 365. In addition, the camming pinmember 378 is shifted through the throughbores 374 of the coupler body367 and secured in place, such as with clips 382. Once in place, one end110 of the rail member 86 is positioned adjacent an upper surface 10 ofthe elongate support assembly 12. As shown in FIGS. 31-33, 52 and 53,the resilient mount 20 located at the end 82 of the elongate supportassembly 12 is configured with upwardly extending spaced legs 252 toallow for insertion and removal of the rail member 86 therebetween. Inparticular and as discussed above, the resilient mount 20 can includespaced spring members 290 between which the rail member 86 can beshifted.

The end 110 of the rail member 86 is then guided through the camminglugs 394 and shifted along the upper surface 10 of the elongate supportassembly 12. The rail member 86 can be shifted along the surface 10 viathe insertion device 364 until the camming pin member 378 engages thecamming lugs 394. The coupler device 365 is then pivoted about the pivotpin 376 so that the camming pin 378 can be supported on the rampsurfaces 408 of the camming lugs 394 adjacent the open upper end 494 ofthe cam slot 404. The handle portion 366 of the tool 364 is then used toshift the coupler body 365 along the elongate support assembly 12 sothat the pivot pin 376 is adjacent the open end 420 of the tapered slots414 of the camming lugs 394 and the camming pin 378 is positioned withinthe opening 494 of the camming slots 404 extending downwardly from theupper surface 406 of the camming lugs 394.

With the setting or pivot pin 376 within the tapered slots 414 of thecamming lugs 394, the elongate handle 366 of the insertion toolapparatus 364 is urged downwardly toward the elongate support assembly12 so that the annular projections 392 of the camming pin member 378shift along a lower biasing surfaces 496 of the camming slots 404 of thecamming lugs 394 toward a closed end portion 498 of the camming slots404. As shown in FIGS. 48-50, the camming slots 404 extend from theupper edge 406 of the camming lugs 394 toward both the shoulder 400 andthe tapered slots 414.

As such, as the camming pin 378 shifts along the slots 404, the couplerbody 365 and the pivot pin 376 connected thereto are shifted lengthwisealong the elongate support assembly 12. More particularly, the pivot pin376 is shifted toward the closed end 416 of the tapered slots 414 andthe coupler body 365 shifts toward the upper surface 10 of the elongatesupport assembly 12. Further, the central pin 64 is shifted toward theclosed end 76 of the tapered slot 74 of the central lug mount portions42 and the flanges 94 of the elongate rail 86 are shifted toward the endpin 90 so that the end pin 90 is positioned adjacent the closed end 122of the tapered slots 92 of the elongate rail flanges 94. In this manner,use of the lever handle 366 provides a leveraged insertion force forprecision mounting of the channel or rail member 86 on the supportassembly 12 a.

As shown in FIGS. 31-33, the angle between the handle portion 366 and ahorizontal plane, such as the upper surface 10 of the elongate supportassembly 12, is a sweep 13. The sweep 13 of the handle portion 366 isbased on the distance the camming slot 404 extends from the uppersurface 406 of the camming lugs 394. In particular, the farther thecamming slot 404 extends from the upper surface 406, the farther thecamming pin 378 and handle portion 366 extending from the coupler body365 travel. The depth of the camming slot 404 is determined based on thedistance the camming lugs 394 extend beyond the upper surface 10 of theelongate support assembly 12 and the relative positions of the pivot pinmember 376 and camming pin member 378 relative to a lower surface 500 ofthe coupler body 367. An exemplary sweep is 18 degrees.

The camming slot 404 is configured to provide a travel path for thecamming pin member 378 as the coupler body 365 shifts toward the uppersurface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12. The camming slot 404 canbe a generally straight inclined slot extending from the upper surface406 of the camming leg 394 obliquely to the upper surface 10 of theelongate support assembly 12. As shown in FIG. 55, the angle of the slot404 can be selected to specify a travel distance of the elongate railmember 86 and insertion tool apparatus 364 along the elongate supportassembly 12 as the camming pin 378 travels along the slot 404, with asteeper slot such as the 10 degree angled camming slot resulting in lesstravel across the elongate support assembly 12 than the less steep 20degree angled slot.

Further, the angled configuration of the camming slot 404 provides amechanical advantage when shifting the rail member 86 into tightengagement with elongate support assembly. As shown in FIG. 54, thesteeper 10 degree camming slot provides a higher mechanical advantagethan the 20 degree slot. In particular, the ratio of output force toinput force is higher for a steep camming slot 404 compared to a moregradual slope of the camming slot 404. As the camming pin 378 is shiftedalong the slot 404 toward the closed end 498, a leverage force isapplied to the rail assembly 8 to urge it into tight engagement with theelongate support assembly 12. As the camming pin member 378 travelsalong the camming slot 404, reactive forces acting on the camming pinmember 378 work to urge the camming pin member 378 away from the closedend 498 and out of the camming slot 404. As such, a higher mechanicaladvantage allows an operator to provide less input force to shift thecamming pin member 398 to the closed end 498 of the camming slot 404.Once the camming pin member 398 reaches the closed end 498 of thecamming slot 404 and the rail member 86 is in the operative position134, force must be continuously applied on the handle portion or shaft366 by the operator until the insertion tool 364 can be secured toresist the forces acting on and the camming pin member 378 urging awayfrom the closed end 498 of the camming slot 404.

Alternatively, the camming slot 404 can be configured to provide anover-center lock mechanism so that, after the camming pin member 378shifts past the generally central location 502 of the camming slot 404along which the camming pin member 378 shifts, the forces acting on thecamming pin member 378 work to maintain the camming pin member 378 atthe closed end 498 of the camming slot 404. As a result, the operatorneed not continue to apply force on the handle portion or shaft 366after the camming pin member 378 is at the closed end 498 of the cammingslot 404 and the rail member 86 is in the operable position 134.

As shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, the camming slot 404 has an arcuateconfiguration 504. The closed end portion 498 of the camming slot 404extends slightly back toward the adjacent end of the rail member 86 toprovide an over-center lock mechanism between the camming lugs 394 andthe insertion tool apparatus 364. As can be seen in FIG. 54, the curvedconfiguration 504 of the camming slot 404 provides a mechanicaladvantage that increases significantly as the camming pin member 378travels along the camming slot 404, particularly as the lower handle ispushed further downwardly in contrast to the generally linearrelationship between travel and mechanical advantage provided by thestraight angled slots described above.

In particular, the mechanical advantage provided by the curvedconfiguration of the camming slot 404 increases as the camming pinmember 378 shifts closer toward the center location 502 of the curvedcamming slot 404. This is particularly useful as, when the camming pinmember 378 is at the center location 502 of the camming slot 404, therail member 86 has been shifted in the lateral assembly directionslightly beyond the operable position 134 so that the rail assembly 8 ispreloaded and more tightly engaged with the elongate support assembly12. As a result, the forces acting on the camming pin member 378increases significantly as the camming pin member 378 shifts toward thecenter location 502 of the camming slot 404.

However, once the camming pin member 404 shifts beyond the centerlocation 502 of the slot 404, the forces acting on the camming pinmember 378 urge the camming pin member 378 toward the closed end 498 ofthe camming slot 404. This rapid lowering of the insertion or inputforce required by the operator on the lever handle causes it toessentially “pop” into place due to release of some of the preload onthe cartridge assembly 2 providing the operator tactile feedback thatthe cartridge assembly 2 has properly been installed in its operativeposition. Further, the forces acting on the camming pin member 378 inthe closed end 498 of the camming slot 404 act to maintain the cammingpin 378 in the closed end 498 of the camming pin slot 404 and away fromthe center location 502 of the camming slot 404.

As shown in FIGS. 31-33, to accommodate the downward movement of thecoupler body 365, the proximal lower end 430 of the flanges 368 areconfigured to extend above the upper housing block 270 of the springtensioner 20 with the rail member 86 in the operative position 134. Asshown in FIG. 37, the flanges 386 can include a cut-out portion 432. Assuch, the flanges 368 do not interfere with the operation of the springtensioner 20 as the flanges 368 and upper housing block 270 shift duringspring tensioner 20 operation.

The curved camming slot 404 can be configured to ensure that the railmember 86 is secured in the operable position 134. To provide thedesired tight engagement between the rail member 86 and the elongatesupport assembly 12, the rail assembly 8, elongate support assembly 12and the insertion tool apparatus 364 are engineered to have tightprecision tolerances. In particular, the camming slot 404 of the camminglugs 394, the tapered slot 414 of the camming lugs 394, the flangeopenings 92 of the rail member 86, and the slots 74 of the central lugmount portions 42 are configured to have tight tolerance with theirrespective pin or securing members. In this regard, the camming pin 378will not properly register with the curved camming slot 404 so that itcannot be properly advanced therein and past the center location 502thereof if debris or material has accumulated in one of the openings orslots which would prevent the rail member 86 from being in tightengagement with the elongate support assembly 12. In that case, theoperator would recognize that the over-center lock could not be achievedsince they would not receive the tactile feedback because the railmember 86 has been blocked from being advanced sufficiently along thesupport assembly 12 for the securing pin portions to properly engage inthe corresponding openings therefor due to the presence of debris orother material in one or more of the slots or opening which would needto be cleaned before retrying to install the rail member 86.

Once in place, the insertion tool apparatus 364 can be secured or lockedin place to further resist movement of the rail member 86. The insertiontool apparatus 364 can be secured out from under the conveyor belt 4 sothat an operator need not reach under the conveyor belt 4. As shown inFIGS. 34 and 36, the elongate handle 366 of the tool 364 furtherincludes a series of throughbores 434 so that the tool 364 and elongaterail 86 can be secured without requiring an operator to reach under theconveyor belt 4 or over the spring tensioner 20. As shown in FIGS. 31-33and 51, the spring tensioner 20 can include a T-shaped plate 436 securedto the upper housing block 270 of the spring tensioner 20. Moreparticularly, as shown in FIG. 51, the plate 436 can include a pair ofapertures 438 for receiving securing mechanisms to secure the plate 436to the upper housing block. Further, a stem 440 of the T-shaped plate436 can include a slot 442 therein corresponding to securingthroughbores 434 of the elongate tool handle 366. The handle 366 cantherefore be positively secured to the T-shaped plate 436, such as by ahitch pin.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 52 the insertion tool apparatus 364 caninclude a securing or locking device 506, such as a plate, secured tothe elongate support assembly 12. In particular, the plate 506 includesa circular opening 508 for receiving the elongate pole 26 of theelongate support assembly 12 therein and being rotatable thereabout. Athroughbore 510 extends through a side edge 512 of the plate 506 andopens to the circular opening 508 to receive a securing member 514, suchas a set screw, therein. The plate 506 includes a curved slot 516 forreceiving the elongate handle portion or shaft 366 therein with theelongate handle portion or shaft 366 shifted down to its operativeposition. After the securing plate 506 has been rotated about theelongate pole 26 of the elongate support assembly 12 so that the handleportion 366 is received in the curved slot 516, the set screw 514 can bethreaded in the throughbore 510 of the plate 506 to frictionally engagethe outer surface 518 of the elongate pole 26 of the elongate supportassembly 12 to fix the plate 506 against rotation about the pole 26. Assuch, the relative location of the handle portion or shaft 366 to theelongate support assembly 12 is fixed so that the handle portion 366cannot shift back upwardly which could disconnect the coupler body 367from the camming lugs 394.

In situations where it is desirable to remove the handle portion 366from the coupler body 367 during operation of the belt cleaner assembly2, the insertion tool apparatus 364 can be secured in the conveyoroperating area such as under the conveyor belt 4. As shown in FIGS.41-43 and 50 and described above, the camming lugs 394 and coupler body365 can include corresponding throughbores 450 and 522 for being alignedto receive a securing member 452, such as a bolt or pin therein. Tosecure the coupler body 365, an operator reaches beyond the resilientmount 20 and/or under the conveyor belt 4 and inserts a securing member452, such as a bolt or pin, through the throughbores 522 of the camminglugs 394 and throughbores 450 of the coupler body 367 and positivelysecures the coupler body 367 to the camming lugs 394. It is contemplatedthat, where applicable, the handle portion 366 can be disengaged fromthe coupler body 367 prior to or after the coupler body 367 ispositively secured to the camming lugs 394.

To remove the elongate rail member 86, any additional securing mechanismshould be removed or unsecured. If necessary, the handle portion 366 canbe reconnected to the coupler body 367. With the handle portion 366connected to the coupler body 367, an operator need not reach under theconveyor belt 4. An upward force is applied to the handle 366 to shiftthe camming pin 378 away from the closed end portions 498 of the cammingslots 404 of the camming lugs 394 and break the insertion tool apparatus364 and the rail assembly 8 free of any debris build-up or material bondwhich may have accumulated during conveyor belt operation.

As discussed above, during operation of a belt cleaner 2 the resultingdust, when mixed with water and allowed to dry, can create a cement-likebond which must be overcome to remove the elongate rail 86. While theconfiguration of the present invention reduces the space available forsuch cementing to occur, may still occur, particularly at the interfaceof any openings or slots and pins or other securing members. Therefore,additional force may be needed on some instances to initially break thematerial bond prior to shifting the elongate rail 86 along the elongatesupport assembly 12 away from the operable position 134 of the elongaterail 86. As such, the handle 366 acts as a lever to provide leverage sothat the operator can provide an extraction force sufficient to overcomethe material bond so that the operator can remove the elongate rail 86.For example, with the application of 70 pounds of force on a handle 366having a length of 16 inches, an extraction force of about 2000 poundscan be generated with the insertion tool 362 herein. As a result, theoperator can use the handle 366 to provide a sufficient extraction forceto remove the elongate rail 86 without having to reach under theconveyor belt 4 and without having to use a force application tool, suchas a mallet. In this manner, the insertion device 364 also can act as anefficient removal device by pivoting the handle 366 opposite to theinsertion pivotal direction, e.g. upward versus downward.

Once the elongate rail member 86 is free of any bond, the handle 366 canthen be used to pull the elongate rail member 86 off of the elongatesupport assembly 12. In particular, force is applied to the handle 366so that the camming pin member 378 shifts out of the camming slots 404and the rail member 86 and insertion tool apparatus 364 shift along theupper surface 10 of the elongate support assembly 12 away from theoperative position 134 of the rail member 86. With a curved camming slot404 providing an over-center lock, as shown in FIGS. 52 and 53, theinitial application of upward force on the handle 366 acts to shift thecamming pin member 378 along an upper biasing surface 520 (FIGS. 49 and50) of the camming slot 404 toward the center location 502 of the slot404. As the camming pin member 378 travels toward the center location502, the rail member 86 and insertion tool apparatus 364 shift along theelongate support assembly 12 in the lateral assembly direction 14 beyondthe operative position 134. This distance of the travel along theelongate support assembly 12 is dependent on the configuration of thecurved camming slot 404, in particular the distance the closed end 498of the curved camming slot 404 extends away from a central locationunder the conveyor belt 4.

As the camming pin 378 travels toward and to the center location 502 ofthe curved camming slot 404, the potential energy of the camming pinmember 378 increases due to the load placed thereon. Once the cammingpin member 378 passes the center location 502 of the curved camming slot404, that potential energy is released. In particular, the releasedpotential energy, in cooperation with any force applied by an operatoron the handle 366, works to break the material bond described above. Assuch, the rail member 86 and insertion tool apparatus 364 do not rapidlyshift away from the operable position 134 once the camming pin member378 shifts past the center location 502 of the curved camming slot 404.

Instead, the released potential energy is expended and dissipatedbreaking the material bond, thereby allowing for a smooth transition ofthe insertion tool apparatus 364 once the camming pin 378 shifts pastthe center location 502 of the curved camming slot 404.

Once past the center location 502 and any material bond has been broken,continued force applied on the handle allows the camming pin 378 totravel along and exit the camming slot 404. The operator can then pullthe handle shaft 366 so that the rail member 86 shifts along theelongate support assembly 12 in a direction opposite the lateralassembly direction 14 away from the operative position 134 and out fromunder the conveyor belt.

While there have been illustrated and described particular embodimentsof the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changesand modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and it isintended in the appended claims to cover all those changes andmodifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of installing a belt cleaner assembly onan elongate support member extending below and across a conveyor beltwith the elongate support member having opposite proximal and distalends and guide members at the proximal end thereof, the belt cleanerassembly including a frame having opposite proximal and distal ends,belt cleaner blades secured to the frame, and a coupler device pivotablyconnected to the frame proximal end, the method comprising: positioningthe distal end of the frame of the belt cleaner assembly under theconveyor belt; applying a pushing force to the proximal end of the frameof the belt cleaner assembly to cause the frame to translate along theelongate support member extending across and below the conveyor belttoward an operational position of the frame; pivoting the coupler devicerelative to the frame so that protruding portions of the coupler deviceare received in slots of the guide members of the elongate supportmember; and applying downward force on a handle of the coupler device tourge the protruding portions of the coupler device along the slots sothat the frame pivotably connected to the coupler device shifts alongthe elongate support member to the operational position of the frame. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of positioning the distal end ofthe frame under the conveyor belt, applying the pushing force to theproximal end of the frame, pivoting the coupler device, and applying adownward force on the handle are accomplished without requiring anoperator to reach under the conveyor belt.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein the slots of the guide device cooperate with the protrudingportions of the coupler device to form an over-center locking mechanism.4. The method of claim 1 including securing the coupler device againstpivoting with respect to the frame with the frame in the operationalposition thereof to resist movement of the frame away from theoperational position thereof.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein securingthe coupler device includes fixing the handle in place to resistmovement of the handle relative to the elongate support member.
 6. Themethod of claim 4 wherein securing the coupler device includespositively securing the coupler device to the guide members of theelongate support member.
 7. The method of claim 1 including, forremoving the installed belt cleaner assembly out from under the conveyorbelt, applying an upward force on the handle of the coupler device tourge the protruding portions of the coupler device out of the slots andaway from the operational position of the frame; and pulling on thehandle to cause the frame to translate away from the operationalposition of the frame along the elongate support member and out fromunder the belt.